HIGHER Women is a consortium of established Cameroonian women researchers. It was formed as part of a project funded by WHO/TDR. The women scientists work in academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies and others. Our mission is to support and encourage the sustainable professional growth of women scientists who are dedicated to improving African communities through education, practice, service and research

​Professor Rose Gana Fomban Leke is Professor of Immunology and Parasitology. Until March 2013 (replaced, on retirement) she was Head of Department at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Yaoundé 1, and Director of the Biotechnology Centre of the same University. She is chair of the Board of Directors of the National Medical Research Institute, IMPM. She serves on the scientific committee of Cameroon’s First Lady’ Research Centre, CIRCB, in Yaoundé. She is a Fellow of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences. Her research interest is in parasitic infections, particularly Malaria. She and collaborators in Georgetown University and the University of Hawaii have developed expertise in studying malaria during pregnancy, particularly placenta malaria. On December 14, 2011, she and six other women from the African continent were awarded the prestigious AFRICAN UNION KWAME NKRUMAH SCIENTIFIC AWARDS FOR WOMEN recognizing female excellence in scientific research. She was the Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Lecturer at the University of Ghana this year, and was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by this University in 2014.

Dr. Dora Mbanya is Professor of Haematology in the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon and Head of Department in the said structure. She is also Consultant Haematologist in the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, where she currently heads the Haematology and Transfusion Service. She is holder of an M.D in General Medicine a DU in Transfusion Medicine and a PhD in Medicine/Haematology

Dr. Véronique Penlap Beng graduated from the University of Rennes1 and is currently a Professor at the University of Yaoundé I. She is heading the Laboratory for Tuberculosis Research. Her main research topic is based on conducting molecular epidemiology of anti TB drug resistance. She is the Work package leader for TB within CANTAM network, and has been for 4 years (2008-2011) the Ist Vice-Chair of the DCCC committee (EDCTP).

Dr. Julienne Nguefack, Associate Professor, is a Lecturer-Researcher at the department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences and University of Yaoundé I-Cameroon. She holds a “Doctorat d’Etat” degree in Biochemistry from the University of Yaoundé I. Pr. Julienne Nguefack collaroates with the Danish Institute of Seed Pathology. She is the focal person for the convention of collaboration between University of Yaoundé I and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (IRAD)-Cameroon and for the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO).

Dr. Judith Torimiro is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases. She is holder of a Ph.D. from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and postdoctoral training from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Cancer Institute in the USA. She coordinates research activities in the Department of Biochemistry, Physiology and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Yaounde I, and heads the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the “Centre International de Référence Chantal Biya pour la Recherche sur la prise en charge du VIH/SIDA” (CIRCB).

Dr. Christine Mandengue Ebenye is a Medical Doctor and Dermatologist. Since February 2011 she joined the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Specialty: Dermatology in the Université des Montagnes of Bangangté, as Lecturer/Researcher, in charge of Medical studies and Dermatology consultations in the Cliniques Universitaires des Montagnes (CUM) (2012). Since 2013, she has been in the charge of Medical Studies, then Nursing Studies. Her research interest is in mycosis infections, particularly Histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients.

Dr. Marceline Djuidje Ngounoue holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry with specialty in Molecular Virology/Viral Genomics from the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.has over 12 years of experience working in the area of health research and research ethics. She has served as executive secretary/administrator and as clinical study protocols reviewer at the Cameroon National Ethics Committee. Since 2014, she is a permanent member of the Central Africa’s Research Ethics Committee (CERSAC).In 2008/2009, she served as research intern at the Viral Genomics Laboratory, J. Craig Venter Institute, Maryland.

​Dr. Pierrette Essama Mekongo is a Lecturer in Law in the Faculty of Laws and Political Science of the University of Yaoundé II since 2005. Her research interests include the protection of privacy, confidentiality and intellectual property, all of which are of relevance to health research. Dr. Essama is a member of the Central African Research and innovation Management Association (CARIMA). She heads of the Publications Service of the University of Yaoundé II in charge of research uptake more generally and also lectures in the Central African Catholic University, the Catholic University of Bertoua and in the Advanced School of Mass Communications in Cameroon.

Dr. Mireille Ndje Ndje is Lecturer at the University of Yaounde I in the Department of Psychology. Researcher and practitioner, she is also President of Association pour le Développement et la Promotion de la Psychologie en Afrique (ADPPA), General Secretary of the Association des Psychologues Cliniciens du Cameroun and a member of the Réseaux Mondial de Pratique Clinique of the WHO. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology.

Dr. Sylvie Kwedi Nolna holds a PhD in International Health and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. A Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, she is also the President and Founder of Capacity for Leadership Excellence And Research (CLEAR, Inc) working with the Central Africa Network on Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria (CANTAM) and the Organisation de Coordination pour la lute contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC).

Dr. Adidja Amani is an advocate for newborn and children's health. Dr. Amani is the author of the book, The Health Workers Crises in Cameroon and is currently working to get her second book, Leadership and Career Development, published. Dr. Amani holds a Doctorate of Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I and a Master of Public Health from Georgia State University in Atlanta. She is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Fulbright and Weston Grants.